FA Women’s National League Division One North

Leeds United Women 4 (Millard 24’, Woodruff 30’, 46’, Sanderson 87’)

York City Ladies 3 (Knight 63’, Martin 68’, Shannon 90')

Leeds: Mears (GK), Legge (C), Watson (Sanderson 67’), Hughes, Drew Greene, Dixon (Spencer-Smith 75’), Woodruff, Dean, Harris (Smith 90'), Millard, Darcie Greene. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Waldron, Coley, Graham.

York: Wallace (GK), Hayhurst (Parnham 60’), Wilson, Varley, Bell (Singleton 68’), Foyer (C), Astle (Shannon 79’), Martin (Downey-Galloway 85’), McMahon, Knight, Elson. Subs not used: Sidwell (GK), Abadi.

Venue: BD Community Stadium | Referee: Jahangir Hussain| Bookings: N/A

Leeds United Women were victorious in midweek FA WNL Division One North action on Wednesday evening as they saw off York City Ladies 4-3.

Alayna Millard and Amy Woodruff's brace had the Whites in control at the break, and despite a late comeback, Brittany Sanderson scored late on to secure all three points.

Simon Wood called upon Izzy Dean to return to the starting XI ahead of kick-off, with the defender making her first start since injury after an impressive cameo off the bench against AFC Fylde Women.

In chilly conditions at the BD Community Stadium, the Whites took control of possession but initially struggled to break through an organised York midfield.

The first half-chance arrived just after six minutes, as Drew Greene intercepted a pass in the visitors’ defence. Her outstretched boot diverted the ball into the path of Woodruff, but the forward’s heavy touch saw the opportunity fizzle out.

Woodruff continued to cause problems shortly after, receiving a throw-in and turning before prodding an effort towards goal, where Abi Wallace got down to deal with the strike.

Some smart build-up play from Leeds then culminated in Dean switching the ball across to Woodruff on the right flank. The forward fizzed a delivery towards Greene in the box, but the winger’s well-struck effort was straight into the grateful gloves of Wallace.

The Whites’ early pressure paid off after 24 minutes, as Alayna Millard netted her first goal of the campaign.

Dixon stepped up to a free-kick around halfway, floating the ball deep into the area where Millard was arriving. The full-back met the delivery and calmly guided the ball into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Before long, Woodruff reaped the rewards of her hard work to double the advantage.

Ella Harris picked out a perfectly-weighted pass in behind the York defence, allowing the forward to race onto the ball, cut past a defender and curl emphatically into the top corner.

Five minutes before the break, the Whites’ top goalscorer almost added her second of the evening, making space for a shot on the edge of the area before Wallace collected comfortably.

With seconds remaining in the first half, Woodruff did find the net again. Cutting back and forth inside the area, the forward created space before firing into the top corner for a stunning second of the night, finding the net through a crowd of bodies.

With the third goal scored, referee Jahangir Hussain brought the first half to a close.

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 3-0 York City Ladies

Holly Mears was the first goalkeeper called into action after the restart, making a comfortable but important stop inside the opening five minutes to preserve the Whites’ clean sheet.

Woodruff came inches away from completing her hat-trick as Leeds responded, with Drew Greene playing a neat first-time pass into the forward’s path, but Wallace did well to close the angle and deny her.

The visitors eventually pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute, with Hope Knight finding the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Seeking an immediate response, the ball fell to Monique Watson, who struck a looping volley towards goal, only to see her effort crash against the crossbar.

York found a second shortly after, as Ella Martin met a low cross and fired home to reduce the deficit further.

As the game edged towards the final whistle, Leeds pushed forward in search of another goal, with a dangerous cross from the right flank forcing Wallace to collect on her goal line.

Pushing for a fourth, Harris was next to try her luck, taking aim from the edge of the area and sending a powerful effort narrowly wide, striking the advertising boards.

Substitute Sanderson eventually found the net for Leeds, latching onto Woodruff’s cushioned pass before calmly guiding a first-time strike into the bottom corner.

The Whites continued to push for another, with Greene cutting inside from the right wing and seeing her effort deflect narrowly wide off a York defender to win a corner.

Ruby Shannon pulled another goal back for the visitors in the closing seconds, but it proved too little, too late, as the full-time whistle sounded shortly afterwards to secure all three points for Leeds.

Leeds United Women are back at the BD Community Stadium on Sunday, welcoming Rotherham United Women in the FA Cup First Round, kick-off 2pm.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 4-3 York City Ladies